Once a Volunteer, Always a Volunteer

HOW YOU CAN STILL BE A PART OF THE OSSO LEGACY...

Your time in Ecuador or Thailand has come to an end. But a piece of your heart will always remain with the children you served. The orphans have become in a very real sense "your kids." So, how do you keep taking care of, loving, and making a difference for them?

There are many ways you can continue to serve and help the kids you fell in love with!

Donate money or items to the orphanages. You can set up a monthly or yearly monetary donations that automatically come out of your account for your convenience. Whether you pay $2 or $5 a month or $200 or $500 a year, each dollar goes a long way, helping your kids directly.

3. Fundraise.

Find ways in your local community to help OSSO by asking for donations or by fundraising. When you fundraise for OSSO, not only does it provide funds for the orphans, but it also brings about awareness of our program too. A win-win.

Take a friend who you think would love to serve those children as you did and receive our friend discount. And/or help OSSO get two new sponsors, and return for one week free!

5. Share your story.

Share, share, share! Tell everyone you can about your experience! The more people who know about OSSO, the more volunteers there will be who can help take care of your kids, and the more likely it will be that OSSO will have the funds to continue helping in the Ecuador and Thailand areas.

Share photos and stories online. Create slideshow presentations to share with your classes, church groups, family, and friends. Tell your story in the best way that works for you.

Share your experience

After loving the orphans of Ecuador or Thailand as if they were their own, many volunteers ask us about adoption. While we are not an adoption agency, we're happy to point volunteers in the right direction if they're serious about growing their families. Click the button above for more details.

Share Your Experience

Spread the Word

One of the most important ways you can help your kids is to share your experience with others. Tell your story. Share *photos, inspiring quotes, fundraiser info, links to our website, personal stories, and more.

Social Media

We love it when our volunteers spread the word about OSSO via social media! It's one of the easiest and most effective ways to tell your story and encourage others to apply or donate.

Blogging

Whether you start a travel blog before, during, or after your time with OSSO, blogging is a great way to share your experience. Get others interested and excited about volunteering for and donating to OSSO using your personal blog.

And blog for OSSO! Email us at info@orphanagesupport.org stories and photos of your experiences and we'll post them on our blog and social media.

Word of mouth

Use every opportunity you can to tell others about your time as an OSSO volunteer. Word of mouth is the number one way potential volunteers hear about OSSO. Don't let any chance to share your love for your kids pass you by.

*While we encourage the sharing of photos from your trip, remember all volunteers agreed to never take photos of the children and to never bring picture-taking devices (cameras, phones, etc.) to the orphanages. Sharing photos of the orphans online is strictly prohibited due to child safety laws.

Orphan Advocates

Become an orphan advocate

Are you an alumni looking for ways to continue serving the children you fell in love with? Or are you a supporter of OSSO who wants to get more involved?

Become an orphan advocate and do just that. Our new Orphan Advocates Program is replacing our Volunteer Representative Program. Think of it as Volunteer Representatives 2.0. We are taking things up a notch and rebranding the program to better advocate for the orphans you care about.

As an orphan advocate you will receive exclusive updates about what OSSO is doing and ways you can help the orphans. You will participate in fundraisers, create awareness, and collect donations. And, when those in your area have questions or need help in regards to OSSO, we will refer them to you.

Fill out our short Orphan Advocate application and then purchase your Orphan Advocates T-shirt! Proceeds support the orphans we care for in Thailand and Ecuador.

“Don’t worry about being homesick. At the beginning, you count down the days, but by the end you can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Learn Spanish. Be kind to one another. Volunteer disputes really distract from the reason that you are there. Give the children your love and attention and never make them feel less than. Don’t feel like you need to fix everything, and really be respectful of the full-time workers.”

“It’s hard at first, but don’t give up. This will become the greatest experience of your life.”

“Be ready to work hard. Be willing to smile alwayseven on the hard, homesick days.”

‘’Hard at times. Days when I was exhausted or homesick or just crying my eyes out ... but also days of pure joy and love... I am so thankful!!!!”

“..Lose [yourself] in the work. Absolutely let the kids, service, country, and culture just envelop you, and your experience will be so much greater than you could imagine. Come with your heart open and ready to love EVERYONE. Not just the cutest of most charming kids, but ALL OF THEM.”

“Try to use electronic devices as little as possible (when off-shift, of course) because they can be a distraction.’’

“[I want others to know] that it is the hardest work of your life but so rewarding and worth it. Not to expect a vacation and to expect long work days.”